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20 Jan 2024Macaroni penguins

Let"s flap our flippers and take a dive into the world of penguins! How many kinds of penguins can you name? Today"s snapshot features agile macaroni penguins swimming in the plankton-rich waters of the Drake Passage in Chile. These charming creatures are just one of 18 different species of penguin found in the Southern Hemisphere and can be recognised by their peculiar amber crests and prominent orange beak. Macaroni penguins gather in foraging groups, but males can be aggressive towards each other. To show passivity and avoid a fight, individuals often ease through colonies with their heads tucked down to their chests. Despite being beloved by us humans, penguins are threatened by reduced food availability, errant fishing nets and the profound impact of climate change on their habitat, sea ice.Desktop Version

10 Nov 2023Badlands National Park, South Dakota, USA

This densely layered image is not an error of your screen, but the fascinating tiers of fossil beds in Badlands National Park in South Dakota, USA. Under the multicoloured coating lies the land"s history, conserving the remains of ancient horses, camels, tigers and rhinos. The barren landscape, decorated with pinnacles and prairies, was mainly formed by two contrary forces of nature: deposition (the process of small rocks being moved around and deposited in new places) and erosion (the process of rocks wearing away). The Red Shirt Table, at 1,020 metres, is the highest point on the rugged terrain. The park covers a 379-square-mile territory that was established as a national park on this day in 1978. Still thirsty for knowledge? Visit the national park"s museum collection. There are over 360,000 artefacts that have a lot more to reveal!Desktop Version

11 Dec 2023International Mountain Day

Peek at your calendars! December 11 is International Mountain Day, a special day designated by the United Nations General Assembly back in 2003. The theme for this year"s commemoration is "Restoring mountain ecosystems," connecting with the UN"s Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.Desktop Version

12 Oct 2024World Migratory Bird Day

Celebrate our travelling feathered friends on World Migratory Bird Day! Some migrations are truly astounding. The bar-tailed godwit embarks on a 6,835-mile nonstop flight across the Pacific from Alaska to New Zealand. The tiny ruby-throated hummingbird, weighing less than a penny, and makes the trip all the way across the Gulf of Mexico—a seemingly impossible feat for its size. Migratory birds navigate the globe, instinctively knowing when and where to move to exploit seasonal abundance. The Arctic tern outshines them all with its intercontinental journey from pole to pole, covering more than 18,000 miles. Their migration routes are passages created based on environmental cues.Desktop Version

24 Nov 2023Green Friday

Imagine spending the day hiking in a forest, soaking in the lush greenery instead of frantically checking every item off your holiday shopping list. Welcome to Green Friday, the environmental alternative to Black Friday, established in 2015. On Green Friday, people are encouraged to approach shopping by making ethical choices, embracing nature, or refraining from purchasing altogether. So, take a pause for a moment and plunge yourself into nature this Green Friday!Desktop Version

31 Mar 2024Happy Easter!

Happy Easter! Do you like your eggs boiled or painted? The practice of painting chicken eggs, which originates from Persian traditions, was adopted by Christians in the early 17th century to commemorate this holiday, also called Pascha. Hungarian artist, Tünde Csuhaj—living and working in the small city of southern Hungary, Szekszárd—has mastered the craft. The internationally recognised egg-painter developed her own etching technique to create lace-like patterns. The meticulous designs appear on all sorts of eggs, including chicken, goose, swan and even emu or ostrich eggs. The intricate motifs of incredible craftsmanship are often shown at national and international fairs and exhibitions. Are you inspired? Grab a paintbrush and test your egg-painting skills.Desktop Version

6 Jan 2025Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy

In the Italian province of Ravenna lies the Basilica of San Francesco, recognised for its beauty and historical significance. This Romanesque church, originally built in 450 CE, features a sturdy square bell tower added in the 9th century, enhancing the basilica"s exterior. Its design features three naves, divided by two rows of 12 columns each. Featured in today"s image is the basilica"s real showstopper: the basement crypt, or a burial chamber, is a stunning model of early religious design. Complete with vaulted ceilings that slope down into rows of stone columns, its floor is a work of art itself. It"s inlaid with beautifully intricate mosaic tiles that have withstood the test of time.Desktop Version

1 Mar 2025Saint Davids Day

A leek, a daffodil and a day to remember: Happy Saint David"s Day! Today, Wales celebrates its patron saint and all things Welsh. Saint David was a 6th-century monk, bishop and preacher who played a key role in spreading Christianity across the country. He founded several religious communities known for their simple, disciplined lifestyles. One of his most famous sayings, "Gwnewch y pethau bychain," still resonates today as a reminder that small acts of kindness and faith matter. But why do people wear leeks and daffodils? Legend has it that the saint advised Welsh soldiers to wear leeks on their helmets to distinguish themselves from the enemy in battle against the Saxons. The daffodil, meanwhile, became popular later as a more visually appealing national emblem, especially during the 19th century.Desktop Version

14 May 2025Porto Flavia, Sulcis-Iglesiente, Sardinia, Italy

Most ports rely on docks and cranes that extend into the shoreline. Porto Flavia in the Sulcis-Iglesiente region, however, took a completely different approach. This engineering marvel transformed a cliff into a gateway for Sardinia"s ore industry. Mining in Sulcis-Iglesiente has a history dating back thousands of years, from the Phoenicians and Romans to the industrial boom in the 20th century. Lead, zinc, coal, sulphur, barium and silver were extracted from these rugged hills but transporting them was a logistical nightmare. Ore had to be hauled by cart, loaded onto small boats and then transferred to larger ships—a slow, costly and inefficient process.Desktop Version

12 May 2024Skiddaw, Lake District National Park

At 931 metres high, Skiddaw is the fourth tallest peak in England"s Lake District. It carries an air of grandeur, thanks to the flatter valleys that set it apart from neighbouring fells. Author Alfred Wainwright once called the summit "an affable and friendly giant." Skiddaw is more than a mountaineer"s playground—it"s steeped in geological wonder. It is formed from ancient Ordovician slate that musicians have turned into lithophones, charming visitors at Keswick Museum with their melodic chime. Moreover, Skiddaw House, originally a keeper"s lodge built in 1829, tells tales of its rich heritage through walls that have witnessed the evolution of this landscape. Whether you"re a seasoned fell runner beginning the Bob Graham Round—a fell running challenge—or a day-tripper seeking a summit, Skiddaw invites all.Desktop Version

29 Nov 2023Rockefeller Centre Christmas Tree lighting

As December approaches, New York gears up for a sparkling spectacle. Today, the 91st Rockefeller Centre Tree lighting in New York City, will bring you festive vibes. In 1931, hardworking builders put up a balsam fir as they wanted to show gratitude for their jobs amidst the bleakness of the Great Depression. Gone are the days of simply plugging in some lights; now this towering Norway spruce, as seen, is adorned with over 50,000 multicoloured LED lights and topped with a Swarovski crystal star. Just wait until the tree—sometimes as tall as 27 metres—is illuminated; it is a full-blown extravaganza with musical performances and celebrity sightings. This mesmerising glow of the tree marks the official arrival of the holiday season in the city that never sleeps, and you definitely don"t want to miss it!Desktop Version

28 Oct 2023Castilla-La Mancha, Spain

In the town of Consuegra, the echoes of the adventures of Don Quixote—the hero of the Spanish epic novel by Miguel de Cervantes—still linger. This tourist destination in Castilla-La Mancha is famous for a small mountain range, known as Cerro Calderico. The range is crowned with 12 white windmills, perhaps the very same that inspired Cervantes to picture them as an army of giants. With their stone walls and wooden blades, some of these windmills date back to the 16th century. Now, they are living relics of a bygone era when they were used to grind grain.Desktop Version

21 Dec 2024Burning the Clocks

As the year winds down and the longest night of winter settles over Brighton in England, the city doesn"t hibernate—it ignites. Burning the Clocks, a winter solstice festival, is Brighton"s luminous way of letting go of the past year, lighting up the darkest hours with paper lanterns, a blazing bonfire and an explosion of creativity. This tradition was born in 1994 as a response to the commercialised chaos of the holiday season. This annual fest invites locals and visitors alike to create intricate paper lanterns symbolising their hopes, dreams and reflections from the year gone by. These lanterns are paraded through the streets in a procession that winds its way to Brighton Beach, accompanied by music. At the end of the parade, the lanterns are ceremoniously burned on a massive bonfire.Desktop Version

3 Feb 2025Ribblehead Viaduct, North Yorkshire, England

Part engineering genius, part daredevil stunt—that"s the Ribblehead Viaduct in North Yorkshire, England. This Victorian structure, also known as Batty Moss Viaduct, has been carrying trains and turning heads since the 1870s. Built by the Midland Railway, it"s the longest and third- tallest on the Settle–Carlisle railway line. Stretching 402 metres across the Ribble Valley, its 7.3 metre stone arches reach a height of 31.7 metres.Desktop Version

29 Feb 2024Leap Day

Are you a "leapling?" No, not like this Eurasian red squirrel; rather, that"s the term for anyone born on leap day! A leap year is a calendar oddity that exists because Earth"s orbit and our usual year count are slightly out of sync. Earth takes 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds, to revolve around the sun. To compensate for those extra 5 hours, February gets an extra day—leap day—every four years. The concept, dating back to the ancient Romans, was refined in the Gregorian calendar, introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. While the purpose of the day is to keep our year aligned with the solar calendar, it can also serve as an extra day to prepare for spring! Cultures worldwide mark leap days and years with unique customs. In Ireland and Britain, women propose to men, in Greece, marrying during a leap year is said to bring misfortune, and in France, a satirical newspaper is published.Desktop Version

11 Mar 2024Koala

Say hello to the koala! Don"t be fooled though; while this sleeping creature may look like a teddy bear"s long-lost cousin, it is actually not a bear at all, it’s a marsupial, which means it carries its young in a pouch. Native to Australia, these furry critters spend most of their time catching some Z"s in the treetops. They can sleep up to 20 hours a day, which helps them conserve the little energy they get from their eucalyptus-based diet. Koalas move slowly when awake, spending most of their time tucked into nooks in trees and have a lower body temperature than other animals of their size. Interestingly, each koala has a unique set of fingerprints, just like us humans. So, if you ever get the chance to visit Australia, make sure to get some koala-ty time!Desktop Version

20 Dec 2024Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland

Nestled in Rovaniemi, Finland, and pictured in today"s image, Santa Claus Village is a magical year-round destination where visitors can step into the enchanting world of Christmas. Situated right on the Arctic Circle, this village offers unique experiences, like meeting Santa Claus himself or crossing the Arctic Circle line. Children and adults alike can meet Santa"s loyal reindeer and explore a vibrant collection of Christmas-themed attractions designed to delight visitors of all ages.Desktop Version

28 Feb 2025Tibetan New Year

Welcome to the year 2152. That is, in the Tibetan calendar at least. Today marks the start of Losar, the new year festival celebrated in Tibetan Buddhism, which is observed in Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal and parts of India. Losar celebrations run for 15 days, beginning the night before with a meal of guthuk—a traditional dumpling soup. The new year is rung in with an incense burning ceremony and visits to holy places to pray for good fortune in the year ahead.Desktop Version

25 Feb 2025Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, United States

A breathtaking maze of sandstone formations and awe-inspiring views awaits you at Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah, United States. People have lived in this area for at least 10,000 years, including the Anasazi, Pueblo and Paiute Peoples. The hoodoos—tall, thin spires of rock formed by erosion—in the park inspired Paiute mythology: they believed them to be the Legend People turned to stone by the trickster Coyote.Desktop Version

10 Apr 2025Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff, Wales

Welcome to the Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay"s cultural powerhouse, where musical theatre, opera, dance and comedy thrive under one iconic roof. Opened in 2004, the centre makes a bold statement with its iconic inscription, "In These Stones Horizons Sing," etched across the front in both Welsh and English. Designed by Jonathan Adams, the building"s architecture mirrors Wales" landscapes. While the façade features multi-coloured layers inspired by slate quarries, forests, mountains and sea cliffs, the hull-shaped copper-hued roof gives a nod to the maritime history of Tiger Bay.Desktop Version

4 Feb 2024Devetashka Cave, Devetaki, Bulgaria

Step into the depths of Devetashka Cave and journey through time in one of Bulgaria"s many natural wonders. However, there is one condition for this adventure: you must not be afraid of bats! About 30,000 of these flying mammals call the cave home. The karst cave, which was formed by the dissolution of carbonate rocks by water, is now part of a public park. The presence of humans in Devetashka Cave is thought to date back to the Early Stone Age, around 70,000 years BCE, and Neolithic artefacts from 6,000-4,000 BCE have been found here. Several large openings in the cave cast natural light into the chambers, offering better illumination for photographers and nature lovers alike.Desktop Version

13 Oct 2023Vieste, Apulia, Italy

Vieste is a picturesque town on the eastern coast of Italy. With origins dating back thousands of years, its history is a tapestry woven by various civilisations, including the Normans, Byzantines and Romans. The town"s historic centre is filled with charming narrow streets, ancient architecture and a medieval Swabian castle overlooking the Adriatic Sea. What truly captivates visitors, however, is Vieste"s stunning natural landscape, renowned for dramatic limestone cliffs, pristine beaches and crystal-clear waters. In fact, Vieste"s waters are so clear that it has been awarded Blue Flag certification for its water quality. The famous Pizzomunno rock formation has legends associated with it, which are often variations of the same story about a young man named Pizzomunno and his lover Cristalda. With its blend of history, natural wonders and leisure pursuits, Vieste remains a captivating destination for those seeking an authentic Italian experience.Desktop Version

5 Apr 2025Grand National

Daring leaps, unexpected twists and a cast of galloping heroes—the Grand National is back, ready to thrill once more at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool, England. This legendary steeplechase isn"t just a race; it"s a test of endurance, strategy and a bit of luck. Spanning over four miles with 30 formidable fences, including the notorious Becher"s Brook and The Chair, it"s a challenge where anything can happen. Since its first run in 1839, the Grand National has produced unforgettable moments, from steeplechaser Red Rum"s three historic wins to shock victories like steeplechaser Mon Mome"s 100/1 triumph in 2009. Millions watch, and cheer, making it a national tradition. With every race comes the chance for a new underdog story or a champion"s rise. So, who will clear the final fence first this year? Here, surprises are always part of the course.Desktop Version

25 Jan 2025Celebrating Robert Burns OR Burns Night

It"s Burns Night—time to toast to poetry and passion. This celebration honours Scotland"s famous poet, Robert Burns, on his birthday. Born on this day in 1759, his work blends sharp insight, emotion and cultural pride. Although much of his writing was in Scots, he also used English, ensuring his voice reached far beyond the country. Burns Night isn"t just a party—it"s a celebration of Scotland"s cultural heritage, recognised by the Scottish Parliament, and highlights the richness of the Scots language.Desktop Version

4 May 2024Brighton Festival

As the sun goes down on Brighton pier, the city is buzzing with an artistic fervour—the Brighton Festival is back! What started as a small gathering of artistic minds in 1967 has evolved into a treasure trove of the arts, dazzling visitors every May. Starting today, the festival will see a tapestry of over 120 eclectic events that will last until May 26. Adults and children alike are invited to revel in a world where literature leaps off the page, music fills the air and circus acts defy gravity. From Nadia Shireen"s live podcasts with literary giants to Scott Silven"s English-exclusive magic show, "Wonders", this year"s festival is an oasis of premieres and exclusives. So, are you ready for Brighton to take to the stage?Desktop Version

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